Peter Bjorn & John

La Zona Rosa, Wednesday, March 14

In a remarkably apt mispronunciation, Peter Morén of Peter Bjorn & John introduced “The Chills” by saying “You’re all giving me the shills.” As most of the insider crowd filling La Zona Rosa for the Swedish trio’s official SXSW showcase had contributed to the hype circulating behind the group’s infectious “Young Folks,” marking the crowd as shills wasn’t far off target. Equally telling, however, was the mass exodus following the hit single’s high point in the set, which, lacking Victoria Bergsman’s brilliantly blasé vocals, seemed only half-developed. While the group backed the buzz convincingly enough, PB&J’s sound was sandwiched between an ambitious Britpop pomposity and more straightforward indie twee that didn’t transition well live. The sprawling “Big Black Coffin” and “Up Against the Wall” smothered the simplicity of “Paris 2004” and “Amsterdam,” and though the group handled both styles well, the clash between mainstream and indie sensibilities seemed to divide the crowd’s reactions as much as it did the set.

This article appears in March 23 • 2007.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.